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If your dog seems to have swallowed something but you can't confirm it, or if vomiting has been repeating for weeks without knowing the cause — many pet guardians wonder, "Do I need an endoscopy examination?" Since endoscopy is not applicable in every situation, it is important to first know exactly when it is needed and how to prepare for it.
When your Busan dog needs endoscopy, the first thing to check
If your dog has swallowed a foreign object or has repeated chronic digestive symptoms, imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound) to understand the location and condition of the foreign object should be the first step before deciding whether endoscopy is necessary.
According to Health Kyunghyang Pet Health Story, when foreign body ingestion is suspected, radiography and ultrasound should first confirm the location of the object, and it must be determined whether endoscopic treatment is possible or surgical intervention is necessary. Additionally, even in cases of repeated digestive symptoms such as chronic vomiting, endoscopy is recommended when there is no improvement despite repeated medication and examination.
However, if the foreign object has already moved down to the small intestine, or depending on the size and material of the object, surgical treatment rather than endoscopy may be necessary. The determination of whether endoscopy is appropriate must be made through direct evaluation by a veterinarian, and conclusions may vary depending on the individual's condition.
Quick Q&A Q. If my dog seems to have swallowed a foreign object, should I get an endoscopy right away? It is first priority to confirm the location of the foreign object through X-ray and ultrasound. The treatment approach can be completely different depending on whether it is staying in the stomach or has moved to the small intestine.
Dog endoscopy examination, when and how it is performed
Dog endoscopy is a non-invasive examination that can remove foreign objects from the digestive tract, diagnose lesions in the esophagus, stomach, and colon, and perform tissue sampling if necessary, all in one procedure. Since it is performed without opening the abdomen, quick recovery is the main advantage.
According to Gyeongsan National University Animal Medical Center materials, endoscopy is an examination method that allows direct observation of the esophagus, stomach, part of the small intestine, and colon without wounds. Health Kyunghyang Pet Health Story explains that it is performed for approximately 20 minutes or less under general anesthesia with intubation, and fasting of 12 hours or more is necessary for accurate examination.
The examination procedure flow is as follows:
— Fasting for 12 hours or more before visiting (water intake according to veterinarian's instructions) — Conducting basic tests before anesthesia such as blood tests and cardiac evaluation — Inserting the endoscope under general anesthesia, sequentially observing the esophagus, stomach, upper duodenum or colon — Removing foreign object with forceps if confirmed, or collecting tissue samples if lesions are found — Anesthesia recovery and status monitoring followed by result consultation
As emphasized in materials from Gyeongsan National University Animal Medical Center, endoscopy is an examination that is always accompanied by anesthesia. In the case of elderly dogs or those with underlying heart or kidney disease, a procedure to first confirm safety through pre-anesthesia testing must be conducted beforehand. Treatment results and recovery progress may vary by individual.
24H UN animal medical center's digestive internal medicine collaborative approach
When determining whether endoscopy is necessary, what is important is not only the imaging test results, but a comprehensive evaluation considering the location, size, and material of the foreign object along with the dog's overall condition. Below is a brief comparison of endoscopic and surgical foreign object removal in cases of foreign body ingestion.
| Category | Endoscopic Foreign Object Removal | Surgical Removal |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign object location | Remaining inside stomach or esophagus | Moved down to small intestine or below |
| Foreign object size and material | Cases where grasping and removal by forceps is possible | Large size or sharp edges |
| Abdominal opening | Not necessary (non-invasive) | Abdominal opening required |
| Recovery period | Relatively short | May be relatively longer |
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia required | General anesthesia required |
Since its opening in 2016, the 24H UN animal medical center in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan has operated an inter-department consultation system, with internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, and surgery departments jointly evaluating foreign object location and size to determine with guardians whether endoscopy or surgery is necessary. It is equipped with digital X-ray, precision ultrasound, and laparoscopy equipment at university hospital level, and emergency veterinarians are stationed 365 days, 24 hours a day, so immediate imaging evaluation and determination of treatment direction occur even in cases of foreign body ingestion at night or on holidays. However, the determination of endoscopy suitability must be made after direct evaluation by a veterinarian.
Does my dog need endoscopy right now — check the judgment criteria
If any of the following items apply, it is recommended to have a specialized veterinarian confirm whether endoscopy is appropriate after imaging tests.
— Suspected foreign body ingestion has occurred (toy pieces, bones, toothpicks, socks, etc.) — Vomiting has repeated for 2 weeks or more with no improvement despite medication — Blood is mixed in stool or mucus is continuously observed — Appetite is normal but continuous weight loss occurs without clear cause — X-ray and ultrasound results show normal findings but digestive symptoms continue
According to Health Kyunghyang Pet Health Story, lesions of inflammation, ulceration, and tumors in the stomach and intestinal mucosa that are difficult to confirm through X-ray and ultrasound can be directly observed through endoscopy, and tissue sampling can be performed in one procedure if suspected lesions exist. If symptoms persist despite repeated tests and medication for 2 weeks or more, endoscopy is recommended as the next diagnostic step, and consultation with the attending veterinarian is advised.
Meanwhile, in cases of elderly dogs or individuals with underlying heart or kidney disease, as emphasized in related clinical materials, blood and cardiac evaluation should be conducted before anesthesia to first confirm anesthesia risk. If the foreign object has already moved to the small intestine, surgery rather than endoscopy may be necessary, so it is important to visit the clinic quickly after symptom onset.
Pet guardians in Busan-jin-gu, Su-yeong-gu, and Haeundae districts considering dog endoscopy, digestive examination, or foreign object removal can also visit the 24H UN animal medical center in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan.
If digestive symptoms repeat, now is the time to make a decision
The 24H UN animal medical center in Daeyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Busan has emergency veterinarians on duty 365 days, 24 hours a day, and through imaging evaluation and internal medicine consultations, determines treatment directions together with guardians from foreign body ingestion to chronic digestive disease.
As mentioned in Health Kyunghyang Pet Health Story, if a foreign object is ingested and remains in the stomach shortly after ingestion, foreign object removal through endoscopy is often possible. However, after time passes and the object moves down to the intestines, emergency surgery may be necessary, so receiving imaging evaluation within the golden time period is the most important condition for broadening treatment options.
If symptoms of vomiting or suspected foreign body ingestion repeat, you can visit and receive consultation 365 days, 24 hours a day from anywhere in Nam-gu, Su-yeong-gu, Haeundae-gu, Busan-jin-gu, Busan, and surrounding areas. If you have symptoms, not delaying one more day — that is the first thing you can do.
What pet guardians must check before endoscopy
Q1. If my dog seems to have swallowed a foreign object, can it be removed with an endoscopy?
If the foreign object is still in the stomach, removal through endoscopy is often possible. However, depending on the location, size, and material of the foreign object, surgical intervention rather than endoscopy may be necessary, so the veterinarian determines the treatment direction after first confirming the exact location through X-ray and ultrasound. Visiting the clinic quickly after symptom onset is important in broadening your options.
Q2. How long before endoscopy should my dog fast?
Generally, fasting of 12 hours or more is required before endoscopy. If food remains in the stomach, accurate observation becomes difficult and aspiration risk during anesthesia can occur. The fasting time and whether water intake is allowed should follow the instructions of the attending veterinarian, and it is recommended to receive guidance in advance when making your appointment.
Q3. Does dog endoscopy require anesthesia too? I'm worried because my dog is elderly.
Yes, dog endoscopy is performed under general anesthesia with intubation. In elderly dogs or those with underlying heart or kidney disease, anesthesia risk can increase, so pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and cardiac evaluation are conducted to first confirm safety. The determination of anesthesia suitability is made after a veterinarian directly evaluates the individual's condition.
Q4. If X-ray and ultrasound results are normal but my dog continues vomiting, is endoscopy necessary?
Inflammation, ulceration, and early tumor lesions of the stomach and intestinal mucosa that are difficult to confirm through imaging tests can be directly observed through endoscopy and confirmed by tissue sampling. If symptoms persist for 2 weeks or more despite medication and repeated tests, endoscopy can be considered as the next diagnostic method, and consultation with the attending veterinarian is recommended.
⚠️ This content complies with Article 32 of the Veterinary Medicine Act, and results may vary depending on circumstances.